The Linked Word Project

Introduction to chapter 20

(Pro. 20:1-30)

mocker — scorner. Such men are made by wine.

strong drink — made by spicing wine (compare Isa 5:11, Isa 5:22); and it may include wine.

raging — or boisterous as a drunkard.

deceived — literally, "erring," or reeling.

Proverbs 20:2

(Compare Pro 19:12). Men who resist authority injure themselves (Rom 13:2).

Proverbs 20:3

to cease from strife — or, better, "to dwell from or without strife," denoting the habit of life.

fool . . . meddling — (Pro 17:14).

Proverbs 20:4

shall . . . beg — literally, "ask" (in this sense, Psa 109:10).

Proverbs 20:5

Counsel . . . water — that is, deeply hidden (Pro 18:4; Psa 13:2). The wise can discern well.

Proverbs 20:6

Boasters are unreliable.

goodness — or, "kind disposition."

Proverbs 20:7

The conduct of good men proclaims their sound principles. God's covenant and their good example secure blessing to their children (Pro 4:26; Psa 112:1-2).

Proverbs 20:8

As in Pro 14:35; Pro 16:10, Pro 16:15, this is the character of a good king, not of all kings.

Proverbs 20:9

The interrogation in the affirmative strengthens the implied negation (compare Job 15:14; Ecc 7:20).

Proverbs 20:10

Various measures, implying that some are wrong (compare Pro 11:1; Pro 16:11).

Proverbs 20:11

The conduct of children even is the best test of principle (compare Mat 7:16).

Proverbs 20:12

Hence, of course, God will know all you do (Psa 94:9).

Proverbs 20:13

Activity and diligence contrasted with sloth (Pro 6:9; Pro 10:11).

lest . . . poverty — literally, "be deprived of inheritance."

Proverbs 20:14

when . . . his way — implying that he goes about boasting of his bargains.

Proverbs 20:15

The contrast denotes the greater value of knowledge (compare Pro 3:14-16).

Proverbs 20:16

Take his garment — implies severe exaction, justified by the surety's rashness.

a strange woman — by some readings "strangers," but the former here, and in Pro 27:13, is allowable, and strengthens the sense. The debauchee is less reliable than the merely careless.

Proverbs 20:17

Bread . . . sweet — either as unlawfully (Pro 9:17) or easily obtained.

mouth . . . gravel — well expresses the pain and grief given at last.

Proverbs 20:18

(Compare Pro 15:22). Be careful and considerate in important plans.

Proverbs 20:19

Those who love to tell news will hardly keep secrets.

flattereth . . . lips — (compare Margin; Pro 1:10).

meddle . . . him — literally, "join," or "associate with."

Proverbs 20:20

his lamp — (Compare Pro 13:9; Pro 24:20).

Proverbs 20:21

gotten hastily — contrary to God's providence (Pro 28:20), implying its unjust or easy attainment; hence the man is punished, or spends freely what he got easily (compare Pro 20:17).

Proverbs 20:22

(Compare Psa 27:14; Rom 12:17-19).

Proverbs 20:23

(Compare Pro 20:10; Pro 11:1).

Proverbs 20:24

Man's goings — literally, "Stately steppings of a strong man."

a man — any common man.

understand — or, "perceive."

Proverbs 20:25

devoureth . . . holy — or, better, "who rashly speaks promises," or "devotes what is holy," consecrating any thing. This suits better the last clause, which expresses a similar view of the results of rashly vowing.

Proverbs 20:26

(Compare Pro 20:8).

bringeth . . . over them — The wheel was used for threshing grain. The figure denotes severity (compare Amo 1:3).

Proverbs 20:27

The spirit . . . Lord — Men's minds are God's gifts, and thus able to search one another (compare Pro 20:5; Pro 18:8, Pro 18:17; Co1 2:11).

Proverbs 20:28

(Compare Pro 3:3; Pro 16:6, Pro 16:12).

Proverbs 20:29

The glory of young men . . . the beauty of old men — Each age has its peculiar excellence (Pro 16:31).

Proverbs 20:30

blueness — literally, "joining," the process of uniting the edges of a wound throws off purulent matter.

stripes . . . belly — So punishment provides healing of soul (Pro 18:8), by deterring from evil courses.